Director of Development, Foundation Relations

Summary:

The Director of Development, Foundation Relations serves on the foundation relations team and is responsible for the identification, cultivation, solicitation, and stewardship of private foundation gifts in the $50,000 - $2,000,000 range. Reporting to the Senior Director of Foundation Relations, the Director will develop strategies that increase foundation grants and collaborations for Caltech. The Director will play the lead role in securing foundation funding from a portfolio of approximately 75 prospects with a robust proposal pipeline. The Director will manage solicitations of foundation gifts in conjunction with the Office of the Provost, division chairs, faculty, volunteers and others as appropriate.   Additionally, this individual will be responsible for working with faculty in Caltech’s six Divisions to conceptualize and prepare proposals directed to the specific requirements of each opportunity; and will initiate, enhance, and maintain relationships with foundation donors. The position requires excellent organizational, analytical, writing, and editing skills, as well as the ability to work in a collaborative and consultative manner with faculty engaged in scientific research.

Job Duties:

• Develop strategies to direct and manage a comprehensive foundation gifts and grants portfolio to support Caltech. Responsible for raising approximately $10-$15 million per year.
• Cultivate, solicit and steward foundation prospects at the $50,000 - $2,000,000 level to support Caltech’s research and educational mission.
• Develop and implement strategies for a portfolio of up to 75 prospects, with a special focus on foundations supporting research programs or research infrastructure.
• Represent Caltech in visits with foundations, brief leadership and faculty on foundation prospects and coordinate cultivation and stewardship visits on and off campus.
• Facilitate relationships between potential and current foundation programs and Caltech’s administrators, chairs, faculty, trustees, alumni and others.
• Review foundation prospect strategies regularly with the Senior Director of Foundation Relations for refinement and determination of appropriate next steps.
• Consult with team regularly and keep them informed of initiatives with prospects as appropriate.
• Work closely and collaboratively with staff and leadership in Academic Divisions and Regions to align activities and identify, cultivate and solicit foundation prospects to fulfill Division priorities.
• Synthesize disparate information sources and create cogent documents from them.
•    Provide guidance and coordination in the formulation and preparation of proposals:
  • Work with key internal and external constituents to identify strategic funding objectives.
  • Test objectives with foundation contacts.
  • Guide the preparation and delivery of the proposal.
• Write detailed and persuasive foundation proposals for a variety of audiences.
• Provide framing and editing support for faculty and leadership-derived proposals, letters of support, and other donor-facing documents, including those in response to RFP opportunities.
• Other duties as assigned.